Forward Deployed Engineering Jobs for OPT Students
Forward Deployed Engineering roles place engineers directly at client sites to build, configure, and troubleshoot software in real-world environments. For F-1 OPT students, these roles qualify as STEM OPT-eligible positions when the employer files an I-983 and the work is directly tied to your degree field.
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Get Access To All JobsDo you want to empower organizations to build smarter compensation strategies while ensuring fair pay for all employees?
Syndio is a Series C technology company leveraging advanced technology and responsible AI to accelerate decision-making, streamline compliance, and democratize insights for consistent, equitable compensation practices at scale. Backed by $83M in investments from Bessemer Venture Partners, Voyager Capital, and Emerson Collective, we are expanding our team and products to help companies align their rewards strategies with their business goals.
Our customers are our greatest asset. Syndio partners with many of the world's most recognized and respected enterprises, helping them implement leading-edge compensation solutions with expert guidance. We analyze pay for over 10 million employees across dozens of countries, ensuring fair, defensible rewards that drive better business outcomes.
Join us in our mission to help companies make smarter pay decisions they can trust!
About the role
We are seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as the technical architect and execution lead for our most critical client implementations. You will be a founding member of a team dedicated to the "last mile" of the Syndio experience - ensuring that our customers' complex data environments are seamlessly integrated into our platform and clients can be onboarded into our platform with minimum effort.
In this role, you aren't just "onboarding" a client; you are building the data foundations that allow enterprise leaders to make fair, confident pay decisions. You will work at the intersection of Software Engineering and Solutions Architecture, using our new Implementation Platform and cutting-edge AI tools to transform disparate data into Decision Intelligence.
Why this role is exciting
- Hands-on Technical Execution: Own the end-to-end technical implementation for strategic clients, from initial data ingestion to complex group configurations in the Syndio platform.
- Innovate with AI: Use advanced AI prompt engineering to navigate product exceptions and architect creative solutions for unique client edge cases that "out of the box" features don't yet cover.
- Drive True Adoption: Ensure the platform isn't just "live"; it's embedded. You will design configurations that make Syndio an indispensable part of a client's daily HR and compensation workflow.
- Modern Tech Stack: Work with modern integration tools and help migrate existing clients to our new, high-scale Implementation Platform.
- Cross-Functional Impact: You will provide direct feedback to the Core Engineering and Product Teams and in some cases directly build the core product to help shape.
Basic Requirements:
- 3-5+ years of experience as a Software Engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer, or Technical Solutions Consultant in a B2B SaaS environment.
- Technical Proficiency: Strong hands-on experience with SQL and Python for data transformation and ETL processes.
- AI Prompting Mastery: Proficiency in leveraging LLMs and AI prompting to accelerate complex implementations, automate data mapping and resolve technical product exceptions.
- Integration Expertise: Experience working with APIs and modern iPaaS / Integration tools to move data between enterprise systems (HRIS, ATS, Payroll).
- Client-Centric Vision: Ability to lead technical deep-dives with client stakeholders, translating their business needs into platform configurations.
- Operational Excellence: Proven ability to manage multiple complex technical workstreams simultaneously while maintaining high quality and documentation standards.
About You:
- You are a "Technical Visionary": You don't just follow a checklist; you look at a client's data and requirements, and see the most efficient path to value.
- You Thrive on Complexity: You enjoy the "puzzle" of mapping messy, real-world enterprise data into a structured platform.
- You are a Strong Communicator: You can explain a complex SQL join to a non-technical HR leader and a product roadmap to a backend engineer.
- You are an Early Adopter: You are excited about using AI to augment your workflow and are constantly looking for ways to automate repetitive implementation tasks.
- You Value Partnerships: You work well cross-functionally and understand that successful implementations require a blend of technical precision and empathetic customer service.
Why you'll love it here:
- Competitive Compensation. For this role our salary is targeted at $105-$140k USD per year. Final offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience and expertise. We take a geo neutral approach to compensation within the US, meaning that we pay based on job function and level, not location.
- Syndio Equity. So you can share in Syndio's success.
- Flexible Vacation Policy. We encourage our team to recharge when they need to, plus paid sick & safe time, compassion leave, parental leave, and voting leave.
- Medical, Dental, Vision. Syndio pays 90% of employee premiums, and 50% for dependents.
- Life Insurance & Disability. Syndio covers the full premium.
- 401(k). To help you save for your future.
- Remote-first but required to live and work from Seattle, WA or San Francisco in the USA #LI-Remote
Role Progression:
In the 1st Month:
- Complete onboarding on the Syndio platform and the "Decision Intelligence" vision.
- Master the new Integration Platform and current data loading artifacts.
- Shadow 2-3 strategic client implementations and identify potential automation opportunities.
- Contribute to a pilot migration of an existing client's data into the new platform.
At 3 Months:
- Independently lead technical implementations for new clients.
- Execute data migrations for a segment of the existing client base into the new Integration platform.
- Build reusable "Implementation Artifacts" (scripts, prompts, templates) that reduce time-to-value for the whole team.
- Contribute to the design of our new Platform's Implementation process, identifying automation and other artifacts to minimize the client's time to value.
By 6 Months:
- Manage a portfolio of high-complexity implementations for Syndio's most strategic accounts utilizing automation and other artifacts to maximize client's value in minimum time.
- Help achieve the goal of migrating 70% of the client base to the new Integration platform solution.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for "Process Embedding," ensuring clients are fully adopting the platform's advanced setup features.
The interview overview
Below you'll find an outline of the interview plan for our Forward Deployed Engineer position. Please note that this is what we expect the process to look like; we may ask you for supplemental information or require an additional step before making a final decision.
- 30 min phone call with a member of our Talent Team.
- 45-60 min Zoom deep dive with the Hiring Manager (Director of Forward Deployed Engineering).
- Technical/Strategic Evaluation: A take-home or live case study focusing on:
- Designing a data ingestion plan for a complex client.
- Demonstrating how you leverage AI prompting to solve an implementation exception.
- Creating a "theoretical" plan for group setup and user adoption.
- 45 min technical interview with a Senior Engineer to walk through your code or logic.
- 2-3 video interviews with key members of the Customer Success and Product teams.
- 30 min interview with the SVP of Engineering - Data Strategy.
At Syndio, we're building a diverse team that values candor, curiosity, and community. If you share these values and are interested in joining us, we'd love to talk with you even if you don't 100% meet the "about you" listed here. We don't expect anyone to have all the answers, as long as you're willing to learn and grow with us.
Syndio is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are building an inclusive and collaborative workplace as we grow, and we welcome team members regardless of gender/identity, sexual orientation, race or cultural background, religion, physical disability and age.
Do you want to empower organizations to build smarter compensation strategies while ensuring fair pay for all employees?
Syndio is a Series C technology company leveraging advanced technology and responsible AI to accelerate decision-making, streamline compliance, and democratize insights for consistent, equitable compensation practices at scale. Backed by $83M in investments from Bessemer Venture Partners, Voyager Capital, and Emerson Collective, we are expanding our team and products to help companies align their rewards strategies with their business goals.
Our customers are our greatest asset. Syndio partners with many of the world's most recognized and respected enterprises, helping them implement leading-edge compensation solutions with expert guidance. We analyze pay for over 10 million employees across dozens of countries, ensuring fair, defensible rewards that drive better business outcomes.
Join us in our mission to help companies make smarter pay decisions they can trust!
About the role
We are seeking a Forward Deployed Engineer to serve as the technical architect and execution lead for our most critical client implementations. You will be a founding member of a team dedicated to the "last mile" of the Syndio experience - ensuring that our customers' complex data environments are seamlessly integrated into our platform and clients can be onboarded into our platform with minimum effort.
In this role, you aren't just "onboarding" a client; you are building the data foundations that allow enterprise leaders to make fair, confident pay decisions. You will work at the intersection of Software Engineering and Solutions Architecture, using our new Implementation Platform and cutting-edge AI tools to transform disparate data into Decision Intelligence.
Why this role is exciting
- Hands-on Technical Execution: Own the end-to-end technical implementation for strategic clients, from initial data ingestion to complex group configurations in the Syndio platform.
- Innovate with AI: Use advanced AI prompt engineering to navigate product exceptions and architect creative solutions for unique client edge cases that "out of the box" features don't yet cover.
- Drive True Adoption: Ensure the platform isn't just "live"; it's embedded. You will design configurations that make Syndio an indispensable part of a client's daily HR and compensation workflow.
- Modern Tech Stack: Work with modern integration tools and help migrate existing clients to our new, high-scale Implementation Platform.
- Cross-Functional Impact: You will provide direct feedback to the Core Engineering and Product Teams and in some cases directly build the core product to help shape.
Basic Requirements:
- 3-5+ years of experience as a Software Engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer, or Technical Solutions Consultant in a B2B SaaS environment.
- Technical Proficiency: Strong hands-on experience with SQL and Python for data transformation and ETL processes.
- AI Prompting Mastery: Proficiency in leveraging LLMs and AI prompting to accelerate complex implementations, automate data mapping and resolve technical product exceptions.
- Integration Expertise: Experience working with APIs and modern iPaaS / Integration tools to move data between enterprise systems (HRIS, ATS, Payroll).
- Client-Centric Vision: Ability to lead technical deep-dives with client stakeholders, translating their business needs into platform configurations.
- Operational Excellence: Proven ability to manage multiple complex technical workstreams simultaneously while maintaining high quality and documentation standards.
About You:
- You are a "Technical Visionary": You don't just follow a checklist; you look at a client's data and requirements, and see the most efficient path to value.
- You Thrive on Complexity: You enjoy the "puzzle" of mapping messy, real-world enterprise data into a structured platform.
- You are a Strong Communicator: You can explain a complex SQL join to a non-technical HR leader and a product roadmap to a backend engineer.
- You are an Early Adopter: You are excited about using AI to augment your workflow and are constantly looking for ways to automate repetitive implementation tasks.
- You Value Partnerships: You work well cross-functionally and understand that successful implementations require a blend of technical precision and empathetic customer service.
Why you'll love it here:
- Competitive Compensation. For this role our salary is targeted at $105-$140k USD per year. Final offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience and expertise. We take a geo neutral approach to compensation within the US, meaning that we pay based on job function and level, not location.
- Syndio Equity. So you can share in Syndio's success.
- Flexible Vacation Policy. We encourage our team to recharge when they need to, plus paid sick & safe time, compassion leave, parental leave, and voting leave.
- Medical, Dental, Vision. Syndio pays 90% of employee premiums, and 50% for dependents.
- Life Insurance & Disability. Syndio covers the full premium.
- 401(k). To help you save for your future.
- Remote-first but required to live and work from Seattle, WA or San Francisco in the USA #LI-Remote
Role Progression:
In the 1st Month:
- Complete onboarding on the Syndio platform and the "Decision Intelligence" vision.
- Master the new Integration Platform and current data loading artifacts.
- Shadow 2-3 strategic client implementations and identify potential automation opportunities.
- Contribute to a pilot migration of an existing client's data into the new platform.
At 3 Months:
- Independently lead technical implementations for new clients.
- Execute data migrations for a segment of the existing client base into the new Integration platform.
- Build reusable "Implementation Artifacts" (scripts, prompts, templates) that reduce time-to-value for the whole team.
- Contribute to the design of our new Platform's Implementation process, identifying automation and other artifacts to minimize the client's time to value.
By 6 Months:
- Manage a portfolio of high-complexity implementations for Syndio's most strategic accounts utilizing automation and other artifacts to maximize client's value in minimum time.
- Help achieve the goal of migrating 70% of the client base to the new Integration platform solution.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for "Process Embedding," ensuring clients are fully adopting the platform's advanced setup features.
The interview overview
Below you'll find an outline of the interview plan for our Forward Deployed Engineer position. Please note that this is what we expect the process to look like; we may ask you for supplemental information or require an additional step before making a final decision.
- 30 min phone call with a member of our Talent Team.
- 45-60 min Zoom deep dive with the Hiring Manager (Director of Forward Deployed Engineering).
- Technical/Strategic Evaluation: A take-home or live case study focusing on:
- Designing a data ingestion plan for a complex client.
- Demonstrating how you leverage AI prompting to solve an implementation exception.
- Creating a "theoretical" plan for group setup and user adoption.
- 45 min technical interview with a Senior Engineer to walk through your code or logic.
- 2-3 video interviews with key members of the Customer Success and Product teams.
- 30 min interview with the SVP of Engineering - Data Strategy.
At Syndio, we're building a diverse team that values candor, curiosity, and community. If you share these values and are interested in joining us, we'd love to talk with you even if you don't 100% meet the "about you" listed here. We don't expect anyone to have all the answers, as long as you're willing to learn and grow with us.
Syndio is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are building an inclusive and collaborative workplace as we grow, and we welcome team members regardless of gender/identity, sexual orientation, race or cultural background, religion, physical disability and age.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Forward Deployed Engineering
Confirm your degree aligns with the role
Forward Deployed Engineering requires hands-on technical work, typically in software or systems engineering. Your OPT authorization must match your degree field, so confirm the job description reflects the discipline on your EAD before applying.
Prioritize employers with I-983 experience
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to submit a formal training plan. Ask recruiters early whether they have filed I-983 forms before. Companies that have sponsored STEM OPT students previously move faster and make fewer compliance errors.
Clarify client site work authorization logistics
Forward Deployed Engineers often work at client locations, not the sponsoring employer's office. Confirm your employer understands that OPT authorization is tied to your primary employer, not the client site, to avoid compliance confusion during onboarding.
Document project outcomes for your I-983 training plan
Your STEM OPT training plan must connect your daily work to your degree. Keep records of technical projects, client deployments, and engineering outcomes. This documentation supports both your I-983 and any future H-1B petition from the same employer.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before accepting an offer
OPT has a hard end date. Before committing to a role, ask directly whether the company sponsors H-1B visas and has done so recently. Companies deploying engineers at client sites vary significantly in their willingness and capacity to sponsor long-term.
Account for travel requirements in your OPT planning
Forward Deployed roles involve frequent domestic or international travel. International travel on OPT requires a valid visa stamp, current EAD, and employer support letter. Plan reentry logistics carefully, especially if you travel during an active STEM OPT extension period.
Forward Deployed Engineering jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Forward Deployed Engineering qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if the role is technical in nature and directly tied to a STEM-designated degree field such as computer science, software engineering, or a related discipline. The employer must complete Form I-983 and create a formal training plan outlining how the work develops your STEM skills. Roles that are primarily client management or sales, even with an engineering title, may not qualify.
Where can I find Forward Deployed Engineering jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Forward Deployed Engineering roles at companies that actively work with international candidates. Searching general job boards wastes time because most listings don't indicate sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-compatible employers so you're not applying blind.
Can I work at a client site as an OPT student without violating my work authorization?
Yes, but your employment authorization is tied to your employer of record, not the client location. The company that filed your I-983 or is listed on your training documentation is your legal employer. Working on client projects through that employer is standard practice in Forward Deployed roles and does not violate OPT rules, as long as the engagement is supervised by your authorized employer.
What happens to my OPT if I switch from a Forward Deployed Engineering role to a different position at the same company?
A change in job function can affect your STEM OPT if the new role no longer aligns with your degree field. You must update your I-983 training plan to reflect the new position and have your employer sign off on the revised plan. Notify your DSO promptly, as any material change to your employment must be reported within your program's required reporting window.
Do Forward Deployed Engineering roles typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Many companies that hire Forward Deployed Engineers are mid-to-large enterprise software or consulting firms, which often have established H-1B sponsorship processes. However, sponsorship is not guaranteed. The technical nature of the role strengthens an H-1B specialty occupation argument. Ask directly during the offer stage and request to speak with the company's immigration team or legal counsel before signing.
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